Area · summer
Cool nights, warm swimming
Summer without the heat
25 degrees in the water by day, a duvet at night
If you would rather skip the heat of southern Europe but still want water to swim in, this works. Feld am See lies at about 750 metres, which is just enough to keep the nights liveable without the summer going away.
- 750 m
- up to 25 °C
- rarely
Carinthia is known for its warm lakes, its mountains and its sunshine. From Feld am See you have both: the water within walking distance, and the Nockberge behind the garden, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2012 together with the Salzburger Lungau.
The Brennsee, a few minutes' walk away
Swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, wingfoiling, sailing or fishing: the lake is quite literally round the corner, with free access on the north shore. The Afritzer See is in the same municipality.
Everything about the lake and watersportsWalking in the Nockberge
The 2-Seen-Runde along both lakes is 12 kilometres and takes about 2.5 hours. To get into the high Nockberge, the easiest way is the mountain lifts in Bad Kleinkirchheim: you ride up and start your walk at the top, with 15 per cent off on presentation of the Sonnenschein Card. The area has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2012.
Walking routes with distance and walking timeMountain biking, gravel and the Flow Country Trail
Bad Kleinkirchheim is home to the Flow Country Trail: about 15 kilometres with some 900 to 1,000 metres of descent from the Kaiserburg top station. Four Nock-Lake-Trails even finish at the Brennsee in Feld am See. If you prefer gravel, there are quiet roads and tracks along the Brennsee and the Afritzer See, and on towards the Millstätter See.
Trails, gravel, hire and charging pointsVia ferrata and paragliding
In summer you do not have to stay by the lake. The secured climbing routes are close by, from entry level to properly demanding. And on a tandem flight you see Feld am See and the Brennsee from the air, even if it is your first time.
All the mountain sports in one placeGolf with a view
The 18-hole golf course at Bad Kleinkirchheim is a quarter of an hour away by car, and there is another one by the Millstätter See with a wide view over the water. With the Sonnenschein Card you get 10 per cent off the green fee.
For families
The Kaiserburg Bob in Bad Kleinkirchheim, the Nocky Flitzer on the Turracher Höhe with the Nocky's Almzeit children's park, play and climbing parks and alpaca walks. The Kärnten Card adds about 130 more places to visit.
Panoramic roads and day trips
The Nockalmstraße runs 34 kilometres with 52 bends and climbs to 2,042 metres at the Eisentalhöhe; it is open from early May to the end of October. The Villacher Alpenstraße, Villach and the borders with Italy and Slovenia are all within day-trip range.
Common questions about summer
Is Carinthia cooler than southern Europe?+
Feld am See lies at about 750 metres, and that mainly shows at night. Tropical nights, when the temperature stays above 20 °C, are uncommon in Carinthia and more so at this altitude. During the day it is simply summer: warm enough to get into the lake, which reaches up to 25 °C. So you sleep cool without giving anything up during the day.
Is a mountain lake warm enough to swim in?+
The Brennsee reaches temperatures of up to 25 °C in summer, according to the tourism organisations of Feld am See and Kärnten. The water is of drinking-water quality and motorboats are not allowed.
What is there to do when the day gets hot?+
The lake is a few minutes' walk away. Beyond that you can head high into the mountains, where it is always a few degrees cooler, or to the thermal baths in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The Nockalmstraße takes you by car to above 2,000 metres.
When is high season in Feld am See?+
July and August are the busiest. June and September are quieter, and the weather is often still very good for walking, cycling and swimming.
Summer by the lake?
Ask about availability without obligation. With the free Sonnenschein Card, watersports instruction on the Brennsee is even included.